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Got Talents? Gabe who?? ( Nope not Kotter!)

Lets open tonight with the parable of the talents in keeping with our study on what the Bible says about handling the resources that God has blessed us with. To understand what God’s will is for our finances we have to understand what stewardship means. Webster defines a steward as “one who manages another’s property” We gave to understand that all the we have belongs to God and He has entrusted those resources for us to manage. I have always said that there are actually three conversions that take place when one comes to Christ- the first is of the mind, then the heart, and the last conversion is that of the wallet. This is the most important thing to understand and yet is the hardest to do- admitting that we have nothing except what God blesses us with and when we leave this earth, we leave it behind. Lets look at the parable. Wait a minute- who knows what a parable is? Simply stated it is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Ok , here is the parable of the talents followed by a few question for thought and meditation:

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

To what did Jesus equate this parable? (hint – answer is in v 14)

Why was each given a different amount? (hint- answer is in v 15)

Did the owner ask all to earn the same?

How were the two faithful servants rewarded? (hint – answer is in vss 20-2

What happened to the last? (hint answer is in vs 26-27

Does verse 29 seem fair to you? why or why not?

The main lesson is this parable is about stewardship. Each using his own abilities, managing the Masters resources well and returning them to Him. This is about investing and getting a return- even today with the volatile stock market making that a big risk, though historically the stock market has been the safest investment in the long with a the biggest returns. Even if you do not want to take a risk- a simple saving account will draw interest and provide a small return over time. This parable does not only apply to money though- God has given all of us skills and abilities that He wants us to use to advance the kingdom- and a saved soul is more precious than gold. That song you sang may have impacted someone, that prayer you uttered may have had an influence on someone, that devotional you gave may have opened someone’s eyes, just being there at the church, or the funeral home, or that phone call you made just to chat may have had an impact.

The name Gabriel is Hebrew for “God’s Hero” or “the mighty one” or “God is great. Gabriel is often referred to as “the messenger of Jehovah” or “the Lord’s messenger”. Gabriel appears four times in the Bible , each time bringing a message of good news.